Mars Hill Water Supply Dam
Mars Hill Water Supply Dam is an earth dam located in Madison County, North Carolina, built in 1958. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Mars Hill Water Supply Dam
The primary purpose of Mars Hill Water Supply Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Town Of Mars Hill (local government). It impounds the Big Laurel Creek near Faust.
The dam stands 49 feet tall and stretches 306 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 40 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1958, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 01/27/2025.
At 49 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The North Carolina dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Madison |
| Nearest City | Faust |
| River/Stream | Big Laurel Creek |
| Coordinates | 35.94230, -82.49480 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 49 ft |
| Dam Length | 306 ft |
| Year Completed | 1958 (68 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 40 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 40 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 30 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Town of Mars Hill |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 01/27/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | NC01345 |
| Federal ID | NC01345 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |